Single Family Low Income Program

On November 17th, 2007, the "California Public Utility Service" adopted the innovative $108 million CSI Single Family Low Income Incentive Program. GRID Alternatives, a non-profit solar organization, manages the Single Family Low Income Program on the Commission's behalf. The CSI Single Family Low Income Program provides fully subsidized 1 kW systems to very low income households, and highly subsidized systems to other low income households.

To qualify for a fully subsidized 1 kW system, homeowners must meet the legal definition of "low-income residential housing" in Public Utilities Code 2852 (see the text of Assembly Bill 2723, which established this definition, above). Eligibility is limited to those households who financed their home through local, state and federal housing assistance programs and whose household income is at or below the 50 percent of the area median income.

Eligibility for a highly subsidized solar system is determined by housing stock eligibility (P.U. Code 2852 as amended by AB 2723, above), Federal Income Tax liability, and eligibility for the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) Program. Lump-sum incentives will be provided at the following per-watt rates:

Incentive Rates for Highly Subsidized Systems
(shown in $ per watt)

Federal Income Tax Liability	CARE Eligible	Not CARE Eligible
$0	$7.00	$5.75
$1 to $1,000	$6.50	$5.25
$1,001 to $2,000	$6.00	$4.75

 For regulatory information and proceedings, please first review the California Public Utility Service website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Solar/070424_csilowincome.htm , then contact the "California public utility service" at energy@cpuc.ca.gov, subject line "CSI Single Family Low Income"